Determination of the Life Cycle of the Olive Fruit Leaf Moth, Palpita unionalis (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) in the Laboratory

Çığdem Yilmaz, Hanıfe Genç

Abstract

Palpita unionalis (Hübner), the olive leaf moth, is one of the most important pests of olive nurseries and olive orchards in Turkey and also in the Mediterrean Basin generally. In this study, P. unionalis was reared at 24 ± 1 °C, 65% RH and 16:8 h L:D in the laboratory on leaves of its natural olive host plant, Oleae europeae cv. ‘Ayvalık’. Eggs were laid individually or in clusters on the underside of the olive leaves, but at random in the adult cages. There were 6 instars based on molts and head capsule measurements. Larval development was completed in an average of 23.35 ± 2.13 d and the survival rate was 60%. Adult longevity averaged 16.0 ± 1.57 d for females and 16.3 ± 1.21 d for males. The mean fecundity was 352 ± 42.9. Developmental period of immature stages, adults’ life span, fecundity and sex ratios were determined in the laboratory.